Health and Safety

Health Insurance

Students at NIC must be covered by both basic and extended insurance.

Basic Insurance

Coverage as described below is effective as of the first day of international
student orientation. Therefore, please ensure you have adequate coverage from
the time you leave your home country to the time you arrive at NIC.

The kind of basic medical insurance required depends on the status of your Visa
(Visitor's Visa or Study Permit).

Students with a Visitor's Visa

Students studying for six months or less on a Visitor's Visa do not qualify for BC Medical Insurance, and need private insurance in Canada that will cover the entire length of their stay in Canada.

Arrangements will be made by the OGE staff to ensure you are covered for your total length of study at NIC. The charge for basic medical insurance through GuardMe is included in the first semester of tuition fees. This coverage is effective as of the first day of international student orientation.

Students with a Study Permit

Students studying for more than three months on a study permit MUST enroll in the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP). There is a three-month waiting period before coverage can begin. However, students should apply for MSP as soon as they arrive in Canada. Students can apply online from the BC MSP website. Information about how to apply will also be given at international student orientation.

For their first 90 days, students will purchase private insurance (GuardMe) through NIC. The cost for NIC GuardMe private insurance is $175.50 CDN per
person for 90 days of insurance. This charge is included in the first semester of tuition fees. This coverage is effective as of the first day of international student orientation.

All students studying for more than six months on a study permit MUST enroll in MSP. It is the student's responsibility to submit an MSP Application for Enrollment and to ensure that they are covered by MSP. Further, it is the student's responsibility to pay the MSP premiums each month.

Extended Insurance

Extended health and dental benefits are provided by Green Shield, through the
North Island Students Union (NISU).

The health and dental benefits plan will be applied to the following students:

Students who are taking a full-time course load in a given semester.

Students who are enrolled in a vocational, trades or certificate program that is six months or longer in duration and is considered to be full-time.

All eligible students upon registration will be assessed the health and dental
plan premium. At this time the fee for health and dental benefits, $275 per
year, will be assessed and charged to student accounts. The fee due date will be
in line with the due date of other fees for each program.

Opting Out/Opting In Family Members

Once the health and dental benefits premium has been assessed, students already
covered under an existing extended health and dental plan (with their parents,
spouse or employer) may opt out of the Green Shield service. At the same time,
those wishing to opt members of their family into the plan may do so for an
additional fee.

Medical Services

Emergencies

If you, or someone in your care, has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or
severe bleeding, it could be life threatening. Call 911 or the local emergency
number immediately. If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure
to toxic substance, call Poison Control at 1-800-567-8911.

Facilities

Hospitals

The emergency room at the hospital should be used for very serious situations
including severe pain, inability to breathe and bleeding that will not stop. If
you are not sure if you should go to the emergency room, call the BC Nurse Line
Toll Free at: 1-866-215-4700 to ask for advice. Be sure to bring the following
with you:

Medical Insurance

Documentation Card

Money or other payment method (just in case)

Reminder, cell phone use is not permitted in hospitals and clinics.

St Joseph's Hospital
2137 Comox Ave, Comox, BC V9M 1P2 (The hospital in the Comox Valley is located in Comox)
Phone: 250-339-2242
Emergency room open 24 hours a day

Health Centre

Health Centres are often referred to as 'clinics' or 'walk-in clinics' which are
used for urgent and walk-in health care needs, including: allergies, animal or
insects bites, coughs, colds and sore throats, sinus infections, cuts and
lacerations, diarrhea and vomiting, travel immunizations, ear or eye infections,
flu or fever, minor burns or rashes. Be sure to take the following with you:

Medical Insurance Card

Documentation Card (passport or BC driver's license)

Money or other payment method (just in case)

Book/Magazine (to occupy time)

Cell phone use is not permitted in hospitals and clinics.

What to expect

Check opening and closing times for walk-in clinics (If no clinics are open and you cannot wait till the following day, go to the hospital)

Prepare the things you will need to bring to the clinic (e.g. Medical Insurance, etc.)

Upon arrival go to the front desk, check in and follow their instructions. They will want to see your medical insurance documentation and if it is your first time, they will want to know your contact information (e.g. Address, postal code, phone no.)

Take a seat and wait to be seen

If the doctor gives you the prescription, ask where the nearest pharmacy is to get the prescription filled.

For a complete list of facilities, locations in your area and operating times visit Island Health.

BC NurseLine

Toll free telephone call 1-866-215-4700

BC Nurse Line provides 24-hour, confidential health information and advice. This
is a good resource for health questions. They can also help you decide if you
should go to hospital emergency or wait to see a doctor.

Safety and Security

Personal Safety Tips

Although our community is safe, here are some well-known tips we would like to
share:

Lock your doors

Do not let people into your home if you do not know them

Pay attention when crossing the streets; do not be distracted by your cell phone or have headphones on

If travelling, let someone know where you are going

Don't walk late at night alone down unlit streets

Wear a seat belt. Do not use your cell phone while driving. It's the law.

Never give out personal information and banking details over the Internet

If you lose your credit card or debit card call you bank immediately

Do not give out your credit or debit card PIN

Seek our advice regarding phone calls telling you that you are in trouble with the law, the police, or even IRCC before responding.

When walking or cycling at night be sure to wear reflective clothes and a light on your bike.

Wait for vehicle to slow to a stop before crossing the street

Do not carry large amounts of cash

Emergency Situations

Dial 911 for access to fire, ambulance or police services – emergencies only. It can be very distressing when in an emergency: you can tell the operator what language you prefer to speak in and get help in that language (as there is access to 140 languages).

Swimming

Whether at the ocean, lake, river or pool, swimming and water present a real
danger. If you do not know how to swim, please contact the local recreation
centre to inquire about swimming lessons and water safety.

Wildlife awareness and safety

Wild animals are often unpredictable; follow the tips below to stay safe.

Keep your distance - many wild animals can be dangerous, respect their space.

Stay alert - many incidents between people and wildlife occur when they meet by accident, be particularly careful when viewing spawning fish as both black and grizzly bears are often found nearby.

Caution around young wildlife - mothers are often very protective and can be quite aggressive, especially bears and moose.